Comment

Representation ID: 9805

Received: 24/07/2022

Respondent: Alexandra Delger

As the owner of 6 acres of agricultural land behind 33 Top End Renhold Bedford MK41 0LR I would like to make the following comments on the proposed Local Plan 2040:
East/west rail link
Although the route has not yet been finalised it will clearly run just north of Renhold village meaning that the village will become sandwiched between the A421 road network and a new rail corridor. This will change the nature of the village and make it an ideal area for future development -para 1.26
Climate considerations
The proposed new research campus at Water End and the development of land south of Goldington Road means that new homes will be required for employees attracted to work at these locations. In order to minimise carbon emissions, these homes should be as near as possible to the proposed sites and Renhold village is ideally placed to provide some of these homes - see plan para 3.00
New housing
Renhold village is already abutting Bedford town and it would be sensible for any expansion to take place here and within this travel corridor which would be served by a good road and rail network rather than in villages outside this corridor. Indeed the current plan envisages growth within and along this corridor- see plan para 4.4
The plan quite clearly states that 27,100 new homes will be required and, in order to meet its carbon emission targets I believe that more of these should be located in Renhold which is nearer to the proposed research campus and the additional employment areas proposed along Goldington Road.